Class 5A

Elk River 21, Chanhassen 19

The Elks ran for 240 yards on a day where they attempted just two passes in a battle of the last two Class 5A champions. Brecken Keoraj led the Elks with 73 yards on the ground, while Carsyn Kleffman and Levi Harris each found the end zone.

All in all, it was a strong defensive performance for the defending champion Storm, who couldn’t quite get enough offense of their own. Chanhassen quarterback Nathan Ramler threw for 282 yards — 106 of which went to Ty Jensen — and two scores, but he was also picked off twice, the first of which was returned by Ben Hickman for a touchdown to put Elk River up 7-6 in the second quarter.

Kleffman’s 17-yard run put the Elks up 21-12 in the fourth. Ramler found James Kopfmann for an 8-yard scoring strike with 1:44 to play, but Chanhassen couldn’t convert the ensuing onside kick and Elk River was able to run out most of the remaining clock to end the Storm’s title defense.

Elk River will face Owatonna or Alexandria in the Class 5A final at 4 p.m. on Nov. 23.

Class 2A

Jackson County Central 34, Kimball Area 26

Kimball took a 26-20 lead on a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Brandon Henkemeyer with just more than nine minutes to play.

But Jackson County Central answered almost immediately, with Ben Dahlin going 53 yards for a rushing score to knot the contest. Then, with just under four minutes to play, Gage Johnson scored his third rushing touchdown of the game — this one from 18 yards out — to lift Jackson County Central to victory.

Kimball’s last-gasp attempt to drive down to tie the contest was snuffed out by a Dahlin interception on 4th and 10.

Dahlin finished with 88 yards on the ground, adding 33 more receiving, while Clay Malchow ran 19 times for 117 yards and a score. Jackson County Central dominated the time of possession, holding the ball more than 30 minutes on a day where it went 3 for 3 on 4th-down conversions.

Staples-Motley 36, Chatfield 24

For just the second time in program history — and first since 1988 — Staples-Motley will play for a state title.

The Cardinals (12-0) will meet Jackson County Central in the Class 2A Prep Bowl at 4 p.m. on Nov. 22.

Colbe Tappe ran for 170 yards and tallied four touchdowns — three rushing and one receiving — while Eli Rutten was 13 for 19 through the air for 195 yards and two scores, and Alex Schultz had 111 yards receiving on a night where Staples-Motley never punted.

Turner Beachy led Staples-Motley with six tackles, while also logging a pass break up and an interception.

Ben Carrier had 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground for Chatfield to go with two catches for 85 yards and a score receiving.

Chatfield (11-1) was attempting to reach its third Prep Bowl in a span of four seasons.

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